Well, though last minute as this may be, here are my predictions for tonight’s TONY winners:
Best Musical: SCHIGADOON!
This one I am giving to “SCHMIGADOON!” It is a crowd pleaser and should do well on tour as well as on Broadway. However, there is a chance of an upset here by “THE LOST BOYS”, viewed as a more hip and contemporary musical which might snag a win via the votes of younger TONY voters, But, I think “SCHMIGADOON!” will win, if not by a large margin.
Best Play: LIBERATION
Set in the 1970’s is a story of second wave feminism viewed through the eyes of a group of women in Ohio. The British import GIANT about the writer Roald Dahl (CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, THE WITCHES) and his acute antisemitism has a small chance of an upset but the positivity of LIBERATION versus the negativity of GIANT will give this one to LIBERATION. If it wins, it will be the first play authored by an American woman since Wendy Wasserstein won in 1989 for THE HEIDI CHRONICLES.
Best Revival of a Musical: RAGTIME
This revival is a bigger hit than the original and I think has a lock on this award. If there is an upset here, it will come from CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL for its total rethinking of CATS versus the relatively standard (although excellent) staging of RAGTIME.
Best Revival of a play: DEATH OF A SALESMAN
This is a tight race between DEATH OF A SALESMAN and OEDIPUS. With the strength of both Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf’s performances and the direction of Joe Mantello, I think DEATH OF A SALESMAN will beat OEDIPUS by a nose, but I don’t rule out an upset here.
Best Actor in a Musical: Joshua Henry (RAGTIME)
His portrayal of Coalhouse Walker in RAGTIME is beautifully sung and deeply moving. I don’t think an upset is possible here.
Best Actress in a Musical: Caissie Levy (RAGTIME)
Like that of Joshua Henry, her vocals and acting performance are at the top of her game. She brings a pathos as well as strength to the role of MOTHER as she goes from being a woman totally controlled by her husband to one who discovers that she has her own identity and thoughts.
Best Actor in a Play: John Lithgow (GIANT)
This is a career topping tour de force by Lithgow as the antisemitic author ROALD DAHL refusing to back off of statements he publicly made. If there is an upset here, it will be by Nathan Lane for DEATH OF A SALESMAN successfully playing a very serious role in contrast to the musical and comedic roles for which he is most known.
Best Actress in a Play: Lesley Manville (OEDIPUS)
Her strong performance of Jocasta in this modern rendition of OEDIPUS has left all others far behind. I think this is one of the few lock-ins this year.
There are lots of strong contenders in the next 4 categories as they all deliver great performances but I am sticking my neck out for these choices:
Best Featured Actor in a Play: Alden Ehrenreich (BECKY SHAW)
Best Featured Actress in a Play: Laurie Metcalf (DEATH OF A SALESMAN)
Best Featured Actor in a Musical: Andre De Shields (CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL)
Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Ana Gasteyer (SCHMIGADOON!)
Best Score of a Musical: SCHMIGADOON!
After being ruled eligible for this category (since much of the score was featured in the previously produced TV mini-series), momentum seems to be swinging towards SCHMIGADOON! There are those that argue the rock-based score for THE LOST BOYS should win, but the universal appeal of SCHMIGADOON!, I believe, will give it this award.
Best Direction of a Play: Joe Mantello (DEATH OF A SALESMAN)
His strong visuals supported by an exceptional cast should make this his award.
Best Direction of a Musical: Michael Arden (THE LOST BOYS)
Arden’s strong concepts of staging bring many audible gasps as the vampires fly hover and swoop all over the massive set. Although I think it will lose for best musical, there is no doubt that Arden’s work is the driving force behind the success of THE LOST BOYS.
Scenic Design, Sound Design, Lighting Design awards will all go to THE LOST BOYS. It is a show where the scenery and effects are the real backbone to the show’s impact.
So there they are. I hope I do as well as I did last year and three year’s ago (let’s not talk about the weak showing from two years past). We’ll find out in just a few hours. Whether you try your own voting or not, I hope you enjoy this year’s award show; always one of the most entertaining awards on television!